Barnes Back In Contention For Brighton Clash

ASHLEY Barnes is set for a timely return to the Clarets squad ahead of the weekend visit back to his former club Brighton.

The striker came through his latest Development Squad outing at WBA with no reaction earlier this week.

And following an Achilles injury to Rouwen Hennings, the former Albion hitman could find himself back in contention for Saturday’s sell-out lunchtime clash at the Amex.

Boss Sean Dyche confirmed: “Ashley has done well. He got another 90 minutes in earlier this week and he is in good shape physically and he’s also in a good shape mentally, so he definitely comes back into the thinking.

“We have spoken to him about it and he’s feeling good and that’s important.

“Rouwen has a niggly little Achilles that was a bit sore when we were away last week and that’s still settling, so he’s touch-and-go.”

Influential wide man Scott Arfield could also shake off a back injury to maintain his status as an ever-present in the league.

Arfield’s maiden trip to join up with his international team mates in Canada was cut short after he sustained the injury on his debut against Mexico in Vancouver.

Pic courtesy: Canada Soccer / Bob Frid

That ruled him out of the return clash with Mexico in the Azteca Stadium on Monday.

But Dyche is hopeful Arfield will be declared fit for the south coast clash.

He said: “We’ve had to be careful with Scott and we are thankful for a bit of common sense by the Canadian physios.

“We’ve had him checked out on his return and we are pleased with the news that it’s nothing too serious. It’s just how it settles down now and we will look at that situation tomorrow and make sure there’s been no reaction to him training on Thursday.”

A full Brighton preview will be on the official website on Friday morning.